SecCo list of items – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS

OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT

OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I have the honour to refer to the note by the President of the Security Council on the simplification of the list of matters of which the Council is seized (S/1996/603 and Corr.1).

I should like to convey the Committee's objection to the decision to delete from the list items related to the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, the Palestine question and the Middle East problem, which are of utmost concern not only to the Committee but also to the majority of member States.  The Committee believes that pending a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East, the core of which is the question of Palestine, in accordance with international legitimacy, these items should remain on the list of matters of which the Council is seized, as they continue to engage its responsibility with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security.

I should also like to express the Committee's hope that decisions of such fundamental importance will be taken in thorough consultation with all the parties concerned.

I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

—–